Bharat Panchal has assumed the role of Chief Risk & Regulatory Officer – APAC & Middle East, Global Payment Network at Discover, part of Capital One. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades in risk management, regulatory compliance, and digital payment systems, Bharat will lead Discover’s regional strategy for risk, security, and regulatory excellence across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
Prior to this, Bharat has held pivotal leadership roles at organizations such as FIS, NPCI, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Citi, Reliance Communications, and Avaya. His expertise spans enterprise risk management, cybersecurity, payment systems, fraud mitigation, and regulatory affairs. He has successfully built high-performing teams, driven large-scale risk transformations, and implemented robust governance frameworks.
Bharat’s deep experience in payments, cybersecurity, and regulatory strategy positions him as a key strategic leader for Discover’s continued growth and innovation in the global payment ecosystem.